A 2.2 W, 80 MHz superscalar RISC microprocessor

A 28 mW/MHz at 80 MHz structured-custom RISC microprocessor design is described. This 32-b implementation of the PowerPC architecture is fabricated in a 3.3 V, 0.5 μm, 4-level metal CMOS technology, resulting in 1.6 million transistors in a 7.4 mm by 11.5 mm chip size. Dual 8-kilobyte instruction and data caches coupled to a high performance 32/64-b system bus and separate execution units (float, integer, loadstore, and system units) result in peak instruction rates of three instructions per clock cycle. Low-power design techniques are used throughout the entire design, including dynamically powered down execution units. Typical power dissipation is kept under 2.2 W at 80 MHz. Three distinct levels of software-programmable, static, low-power operation-for system power management are offered, resulting in standby power dissipation from 2 mW to 350 mW. CPU to bus clock ratios of 1×, 2×, 3×, and 4× are implemented to allow control of system power while maintaining processor performance. As a result, workstation level performance is packed into a low-power, low-cost design ideal for notebooks and desktop computers     

A fully integrated dual-channel log-domain programmable preamplifier and filter for an implantable cardiac pacemaker

A programmable-gain preamplifier and filter for detection of spontaneous heart activity in an implantable cardiac pacemaker is presented. The system is fully integrated in a standard 0.35-/spl mu/m CMOS technology, including all auxiliary circuits. Two channels are available in order to process both atrial and ventricular signals. CMOS translinear circuits, with particular emphasis on log-domain techniques, have been exploited in order to contain current consumption and to allow correct operation with a reduced supply voltage, due to battery discharging. Indeed, the realized system can operate down to 1.8 V of supply voltage and dissipates at most 1.8 /spl mu/A, granting at least 47 dB of dynamic range (DR) for the atrial chain, which is compatible with advanced digital sensing. Current consumption can be further reduced at the expense of DR if a simpler sensing like peak detection is adopted. All system performance have been verified by measurements results and are compatible with the requirements of cardiac pacemakers. This work, therefore, demonstrates how a proper design approach, exploiting low-power and low-voltage techniques, allows one to optimize performance for the cardiac pacemaker.     

Thixomolded magnesium alloys: Strategic product innovation in automobiles

The research on magnesium alloys for structural lightweight applications is today at an embryonic stage, but these alloys offer great potential. Thixomolding of magnesium alloys for automotive applications is promising since the process can be used to manufacture net-shape parts cost-effectively and with high reliability and repeatability.     

7075铝合金的淬火敏感性(英文)

7075铝合金广泛用于要求高力学性能的零部件。有关技术文献指出,该合金的耐蚀性和力学性能主要决定于淬火冷却速度。这种现象通常称为"淬火敏感性"。本文的主要目的是,通过改变热处理工艺参数和轧制方向(L,LT,ST)来研究板材试样的淬火冷却速度对其性能的影响。试样均在实验室设备中热处理,以获得T6、T76和T73处理状态。试样为长方体(13 mm 13 mm 100 mm),水淬,通过改变水温或改变温度为20℃、用水搅动的浴槽中聚合物浓度来调节淬火冷却速度。在每种实验条件下,均采用置于试样中的热电偶测量冷却速度。此外,还进行了有限元(FEM)模拟试验,以测定所有试验条件下冷却过程的热传递系数;进行了拉伸试验和晶间腐蚀试验,以弄清所研究的冷却速度对7075合金板材性能的影响。     

Porcine Small Intestinal Submucosa (SIS) as a Suitable Scaffold for the Creation of a Tissue-Engineered Urinary Conduit: Decellularization,Biomechanical and Biocompatibility Characterization Using New Approaches

Bladder cancer (BC) is among the most common malignancies in the world and a relevant cause of cancer mortality. BC is one of the most frequent causes for bladder removal through radical cystectomy, the gold-standard treatment for localized muscle-invasive and some cases of high-risk, non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. In order to restore urinary functionality, an autologous intestinal segment has to be used to create a urinary diversion. However, several complications are associated with bowel-tract removal, affecting patients’ quality of life. The present study project aims to develop a bio-engineered material to simplify this surgical procedure, avoiding related surgical complications and improving patients’ quality of life. The main novelty of such a therapeutic approach is the decellularization of a porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS) conduit to replace the autologous intestinal segment currently used as urinary diversion after radical cystectomy, while avoiding an immune rejection. Here, we performed a preliminary evaluation of this acellular product by developing a novel decellularization process based on an environmentally friendly, mild detergent, i.e., Tergitol, to replace the recently declared toxic Triton X-100. Treatment efficacy was evaluated through histology, DNA, hydroxyproline and elastin quantification, mechanical and insufflation tests, two-photon microscopy, FTIR analysis, and cytocompatibility tests. The optimized decellularization protocol is effective in removing cells, including DNA content, from the porcine SIS, while preserving the integrity of the extracellular matrix despite an increase in stiffness. An effective sterilization protocol was found, and cytocompatibility of treated SIS was demonstrated from day 1 to day 7, during which human fibroblasts were able to increase in number and strongly organize along tissue fibres. Taken together, this in vitro study suggests that SIS is a suitable candidate for use in urinary diversions in place of autologous intestinal segments, considering the optimal results of decellularization and cell proliferation. Further efforts should be undertaken in order to improve SIS conduit patency and impermeability to realize a future viable substitute.     

Experimental verification of the theoretical behaviour of some ferrite structures

The theoretical behaviour of some microwave ferrite structures has been experimentally verified by detecting the thermal rise produced by the dissipated r.f. power in certain characteristic regions.     

A 0.35-/spl mu/m CMOS analog turbo decoder for the 40-bit rate 1/3 UMTS channel code

This work presents the design and the test results of an analog decoder for the 40-bit block length, rate 1/3, Turbo Code defined in the UMTS standard. The prototype is fully integrated in a three-metal double-poly 0.35-/spl mu/m CMOS technology, and includes an I/O interface that maximizes the decoder throughput. After the successful implementation of proof-of-concept analog iterative decoders by different research groups in both bipolar and CMOS technologies, this is the first reported prototype of an analog decoder for a realistic error-correcting code. The decoder was successfully tested at the maximum data rate defined in the standard (2 Mb/s), with an overall power consumption of 10.3 mW at 3.3 V, going down to 7.6 mW with the decoder core operated at 2 V, and an extremely low energy per decoded bit and trellis state (0.85 nJ for the decoder core alone).     

CMOS implementation of all-analogue APP decoders: analysis ofperformances and limitations

The potential performances and limitations of an all-analogue implementation of a posteriori-probability (APP) decoders in a standard complementary-metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology are investigated. In particular, the accuracy and speed trade-off related to the usage of MOS transistors in the weak inversion (w.i) region is analysed in depth. Transistor level simulations of a (18, 9, 5) tail-biting decoder are reported and contrasted with the results of the software implementation of the same decoding algorithm     

A fully integrated two-channel A/D interface for the acquisition of cardiac signals in implantable pacemakers

This work presents an input stage for a cardiac pacemaker fully integrated in 0.35-/spl mu/m CMOS technology. The system can acquire and digitize to 8 bits both atrial and ventricular electrical activity. Log-domain circuits are exploited to amplify and filter the input signal, while /spl Sigma//spl Delta/ modulation is exploited to convert it. The design is power optimized, indeed the current consumption is limited to 2.9 /spl mu/A, while the power supply ranges from 2.8 to 1.8 V. The total area is 2.2 mm/sup 2/ and experimental data prove correct filtering and a total dynamic range of at least 47 dB.     

Resonant frequencies and quality factors in lossy NRD cylindrical resonators

In this paper the fundamental effects of losses on resonant parameters (frequencies and quality factors) are analyzed for circular-cylindrical dielectric resonators inserted between metal plates, in the configuration also called NRD (Non-Radiative Dielectric). Power dissipations are considered both in the dielectric and in the conductors. Complex resonant frequencies and closed-form expressions for the relevant quality factors are derived rigorously for arbitrary resonant modes, even without circular symmetry. Numerical results are presented and discussed, making also use of experimental data obtained by means of a suitable NRD set-up. The present analysis accurately provides the basic information for a more realistic design of up-to-date millimeter-wave frequency-selective devices in NRD circuitry.